Currently, porcelain stoneware or porcelain tile is the most used type of ceramic tile in construction. 80% of new building and rehabilitation projects use porcelain or porcelain tile as a covering material.

The main characteristic of porcelain stoneware or porcelain, and therefore, the big difference with the rest of the ceramic tiles (tile and glazed stoneware), is its practically zero water absorption capacity. Initially, this should be a maximum of 0.5%, as indicated by international standards ISO 13006 and EN 14411, but currently some materials have much lower absorptions, almost close to 0%.

Other notable characteristics of porcelain or porcelain tile are its high hardness and its resistance to abrasion.